Things In Contemporary Curating

Beskrivelse

Explore how contemporary curating redefines the concept of the 'thing' through exhibitions that serve as spaces for democratic gathering and political engagement.

A fresh perspective on the role of objects and democratic interaction in modern exhibition spaces.

‘Things in Contemporary Curating’ offers an in-depth look at key exhibitions to develop what is called an ‘aesthetics of the thing.’ Here, the term ‘thing’ is taken in its original sense-not just as an object but also as a form of political assembly and a subject of discussion.

The book examines exhibitions that embrace democratic meetings as a curatorial strategy, posing the question: if an exhibition space functioned as a venue for democratic gatherings, what would it look like?

Tracing this contemporary trend back to the postwar era, the author provides an international historical perspective on how exhibitions were once organized as events that built alliances and fostered solidarity.

From the 1990s onward, this approach has influenced exhibition practices across Europe and North America, becoming integrated into renowned institutions like Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin and MoMA in New York.

Nelund takes readers on ethnographic journeys through participatory exhibitions such as Home Works Forum in Beirut, The Anthropocene Project in Berlin, Parliament of Bodies during Documenta 14, and Tricia Hersey’s The Nap Ministry in Atlanta.

These experiences highlight how such exhibitions shine by embracing differences and disagreements. The book encourages readers to reflect on what can be achieved together despite these differences-and how.

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